(UTV|COLOMBO) – The US is halting visas for same-sex partners of diplomats, raising concerns among LGBTQ activists who fear it will cause problems for foreign representatives.
Under the State Department’s new requirements, the US will only recognise marriages, rather than same-sex partnerships, when granting diplomatic visas to partners.
The change, which came into effect on Monday, impacts the partners of United Nations officials, ambassadors, embassy staff and foreign military stationed in the US.
Those affected have until the end of the year to get married or their partners risk having to leave the country within 30 days.
A US official said that some 105 families currently residing in America would be impacted.
But the official denied the move was “punitive” or an “attack”, saying it was needed to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court decision to legalise same-sex marriage in 2015.
The state department official said the policy was needed to ensure consistent treatment with opposite-sex partners, who must marry to qualify for the diplomatic visas.
Officials also noted that the requirement would align the policy to that which applies to US diplomats abroad.
However, there are concerns about the implications of the new requirements for diplomats from countries that do not recognise same-sex marriages.
